Brady wrestling in PIAA high school championship   Brady Joling and his Father Michael join us for this podcast episode.  Brady is part of the first generation of jiu jitsu practitioners who moved to a successful wrestling career.  Me, your host, Warren Stout  was part of some of the first group of college wrestlers who transitioned to BJJ in the early 2000’s.  Now we are seeing athletes go in the opposite direction as jiu jitsu becomes more main stream and quality kids jiu jitsu programs are available in many parts of the country.  Brady is a great example of t ..read more

In this wide ranging interview/ conversation Zack Esposito and I talk about his wrestling journey from starting as a youth in NJ and at Blair academy, to being a standout competitor, NCAA DI champion, and on to his coaching career.  Zack shares annadotes and stories from his own career.  We also talk about some interesting interactions between Zack and all-time greats in wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts ( MMA ).  Zack talks about what he sees as commonalities he sees in ultra successful combat sports athletes.  He gives some advice on both mental and physical aspects of becomi ..read more

John Swisher is the co-founder and leader of Ronin Adverstising, a successful marketing national marketing agency that has worked for Fortune 500 companies, large charity based organizations such as YMCA groups, and a couple of jiu jitsu schools including mine, as passion projects.  John is a purple belt and dedicated jiu jitsu student who trains regularly at almost 60 years old.  In this podcast we discuss John’s philosophy of marketing.  He talks about what the biggest mistake he sees jiu jitsu schools and businesses in general make in marketing.  He talks about his appro ..read more

Warren Stout and Bridget Grace have a conversation after her Pittsburgh Seminar at Stout PGH.  Bridget is the women’s team coach for Renzo Gracie NYC academy, an active competitor, and world silver medalist at adult black belt. She has also fought kickboxing and mma fights.  In addition to describing her jiu jitsu journey thus far, she talks about training methods, mental preparation, and teaching others. She also talks about different teachers who have influenced her and which competitors she is paying attention to on the scene today.  This conversation will be of particular in ..read more

Rolles Gracie showing a technique with Warren Stout at a seminar in Pittsburgh 2019 This is Warren Stout’s jiu jitsu origin story. In this audio only version of a video interview Warren Stout and Rolles Gracie are interviewed by John Swisher of Ronin Advertising.  They discuss how they met in Brazil in 2002 and how Warren helped him with wrestling and how Rolles introduced Warren to Jiu Jitsu.  Warren is the founder and head instructor for Stout PGH – team Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu and MMA schools in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Rolles has competed in jiu jitsu including a medal at ADCC ..read more

Karel is in his late 50’s and still trains jiu jitsu 7 days per week often with other high level competitive blackbelts.  Karel recently taught a seminar at Stout PGH on armbars.  He has some unique concepts and techniques around armbars and many other techniques.  Karel has coach champions in jiu jitsu at the highest level and has coached several successful MMA fighters.  He runs two successful schools in NJ.  He also works with Firas Zahabi of Tri-Star and hosts the weekly free live stream “Roll With the Fox”.  You can get on the mats with Karel at his schools o ..read more

Daniel Gracie, Shawn Williams, and Warren Stout sit down next to Potrero Beach, Costa Rica to talk about how Jiu Jitsu has changed, MMA training, and the Pura Vida Jiu Jitsu camp.  Daniel talks about coaching strategy for fighters. He also talks about Costa Rica and the Pura Vida Jiu Jitsu camp reminding him of the atmosphere of the early days in Rio and Barra Brazil.  Shawn talks about the 3 main type of Jiu Jitsu, training methodology, and his new gear company Carbyne . Daniel Gracie, Shawn Williams and Warren Stout at Pura Vida Jiu Jitsu camp in Costa Rica The post Daniel Gracie ..read more

Rick training Jiu Jitsu at Stout PGH – Team Renzo Gracie   This podcast guest is someone that most people have not heard of.  He isn’t a Jiu Jitsu celebrity or coach.  Rick is an insurance professional in his 50s who is battling cancer.  He has been a long-time supporter of the Local Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA scene in Pittsburgh.  He has supported Stout Fights events via sponsorship since our first event 3 years ago.  His insurance company  The Thompson Gusic Insurance Group specializes in insuring extreme sports businesses and participants among other ..read more

Javier Valenciano at Pura Vida Jiu Jitsu camp in Costa Rica Javier is the first Costa Rican Competitor to have success at adult blackbelt division of IBJJF world Jiu Jitsu tournament.  In this podcast he talks about overcoming the mentality that he is from a small country and not supposed to succeed agains the people from countries and areas with developed Jiu Jitsu traditions.  Sort of like the 4 minute mile barrier, he talks about how he broke through and helped establish Costa Rica as a place developing top level competitors.  He also talks about fighting Mma, his team Athl ..read more

In this short podcast my good friend Dan and I talk about what he believes has helped him get success, first in wrestling and later in his brilliant finance and investment career.  We brought up the biblical quote ” those that have will be given more, those that have not even what little they have will be taken away.”  Dan gives some real world examples of how this quote works.  He also talks about getting through tough times. He discusses why you don’t have to be the smartest or most athletic  to get top results in athletics, finance, and life. Quick background on Dan: 20 ..read more